Portable heating oil dispensing apparatus and delivery method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for dispensing home heating oil comprises a skid carrying a tank having just under 119 gallons capacity, a pump, a weights and measures-approved flow meter subsystem, and preferably a battery power supply. The apparatus weighs less than 1500 pounds when the tank is full of heating oil and is transported on the bed of an un-placarded light duty truck, driven by a driver having an ordinary driver&#39;s license. In a method of supplying home heating oil to a customer, a dealer uses the foregoing apparatus in combination with using a conventional large local-delivery heating oil tank truck having 1,000 gallons or more tank capacity, and bearing hazardous material placards.

This application claims benefit of provisional patent application Ser.No. 61/547,412, filed Oct. 14, 2011.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to means and method for dispensing smallquantities of oil, in particular domestic heating oil and analogousfluids, and to a heating oil delivery methodology.

BACKGROUND

Homes which are heated by burning oil, as are common in the northeasternUnited States, typically have building code-compliant storage tankswhich hold approximately 275 to 330 gallons of heating oil. Heating oilis most often delivered to the home by means of local-delivery tanktrucks which hold about 2,800-5,000 gallons of heating oil and have agross vehicle weight in the range of 32,000 to 60,000 pounds. Sincelarge heating oil delivery trucks weigh more than 26,001 pounds, theyare required to have air brakes. At the customer site, heating oil ispumped from the tank of the truck through a hose pulled from a reel onthe truck and to a nozzle at the end of the hose which is inserted intothe fill pipe of the customer storage tank. The oil pump is typicallydriven by the truck engine by means of a power take-off and drive shaft.Characteristically oil flows at a high rate through substantial diameterpiping and hoses.

Generally, the transfer of ownership from one party to the other, forinstance, from a licensed heating oil dealer to a home or businessowner, is referred to as “custody transfer.” The term custody transferimplicates various requirements that mandate meeting industry andlegal/regulatory standards. In many states, consumer protection and/orsales tax laws impose standards on the accuracy and recordation ofheating oil transfers. As applied to the process of delivering heatingoil to a customer, custody transfer means that the heating oil quantitymust be metered and recorded accurately, regardless of variables such asflow rate, temperature and viscosity. A printed record, sometimes calleda receipt or a ticket, should be produced showing the quantity deliveredfor the customer's and the dealer's records and to meet governmentrequirements.

The components of a familiar large local-delivery heating oil tank truckwhich include a high flow capacity metering system that implementscustody transfer are commonly required to have a Certificate ofConformance pursuant to the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEPcertification) of the National Conference on Weights and Measures,Lincoln, Nebr. A Certificate may be issued based on an authorizedtester's determination that the system complies with the standards ofthe United States Department of Commerce, namely, with requirements setforth in National Institutes of Standards and Technology “NIST Handbook44: Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements forWeighing and Measuring Devices.” These requirements are hereafterreferred to as the “NTEP certification standard.” The NTEP certificatenumber is usually engraved on an approved system which is used incommerce. The metering system of a truck must also pass theaccuracy-of-flow standard and other requirements of state regulators.One way of expressing that a system is compliant with laws andregulations applicable to accurate measurement of residential heatingoil deliveries is to say that the system is “weights and measuresapproved.”

A commercial objective for heating oil dealers is to maximize theutilization of a tank truck, particularly since they presently can costfrom $120,000 to $250,000 each. To minimize the time a truck consumes inpumping oil into the customer storage tank, the pumps of tank truckstypically have high flow rates, for example 40-110 gallons per minute. Atypical quantity delivered by tank truck may be in the 100-300 gallonrange.

Another objective is to minimize the number of times which a driver andtruck have to return to the dealer site or an oil terminal, to refillthe tank truck. This leads to a desire to have a truck with as largetank capacity as possible. But using a typical large truck can present aproblem when a driveway, roadway, or bridge has a load limit below thatof the weight of even a partially loaded local-delivery heating oil tanktruck. A mosaic of federal, state, and local laws and regulations mustbe complied with in owning, storing and operating a typical heating oiltank truck. They include U.S. Federal Hazardous Materials Regulationsrelating to transport of hazardous and combustible liquids and laws andregulations aimed at protecting the environment, avoiding fire risk,avoiding terrorist attacks, etc. Periodic vehicle checks are mandated; adriver must make an inspection of the truck at the start of the firstdaily use, tire inflation must be systematically checked, the truck mustcarry a fire extinguisher, etc. State motor vehicle authorities, federaldepartment of transportation officers, local/state police, and homelandsecurity officials are known to make in-yard and on-the-roadinspections. Fire marshals and insurers may impose other requirements. Atruck which carries hazardous materials including heating oils isrequired by federal law to display specific kinds of placards on thefront, rear and both sides, indicating the class of material which isbeing carried. In the common parlance, when one says that a motorvehicle must be “placarded,” that communicates that the vehicle mustmeet certain federal standards which include making the required placarddisplays.

The driver of a heating oil tank truck driver must be a professional:First, the driver must have a commercial driver license (CDL). Thatrequires passing certain background checks, medical tests, and specialdriving tests. The driver must meet higher performance standards thanregular drivers, both while driving a heating oil tank truck and whiledriving other ordinary vehicles, including personal vehicles. Time“behind the wheel” is regulated. There are random drug tests. Inaddition, the driver of a local-delivery heating oil tank truck musthave endorsements to his or her CDL license, including those forcarrying hazardous materials, for operating a tank truck, and foroperating a vehicle equipped with air brakes. Recent anti-terrorismmeasures require a Transport Worker Identification Card (TWIC) if thetank truck is driven into an oil terminal for a re-fill or onto certainother sites that are deemed important to U.S. homeland security. Largelocal-delivery heating oil tank trucks tend to have high centers ofgravity compared to non-tank trucks, and the contents might surge orslosh around and induce instability; thus special driver diligence isrequired.

The requirement for a CDL with requisite endorsements limits the numberof people who are available to be drivers of local-delivery heating oiltank trucks. Understandably, persons who meet the requirements candemand higher wages than can lesser-licensed drivers.

In general, large local delivery heating oil tank trucks are costly tooperate. Since they weigh a lot, they get a low fuel mileage, commonlyin single-digit miles per gallon. Sending a large heating oil tank truckand qualified professional driver to a customer's site is costly interms of labor and operating costs; and the dollar mark up on a smallquantity of heating oil can easily be insufficient to cover the costs.

With the greatly increased price of heating oil in recent years,presently $3-4 per gallon in northeastern U.S., there has been atendency for less affluent homeowners to decline delivery of 100 or moregallons at a time, because they wish to avoid the dollar outlay.Instead, a number of consumers seek delivery of smaller quantities, evenin the range of 1 to 5 to 25 gallons at a time. Heating oil dealersencounter other situations when small quantities could be appropriate.For example, if a consumer runs out of heating oil at an inopportunetime, such as in the middle of the night, mobilizing a qualified driverand tank truck, and paying the driver for a requisite minimum number ofhours can be costly. Yet, all the customer needs is a few gallons, tolast until the next day or two when a driver can make a larger deliveryas part of his regular tank truck delivery route.

Dealers who operate conventional large local-delivery heating oil tanktrucks are typically not capable of meeting needs for small quantitydeliveries of the kind just mentioned: They cannot easily dispenseand/or accurately meter small quantities of oil, particularly in thequantities such as 1, 5, 10 or less than 25 gallons while using a largeweights and measures approved tank truck. While some large tank trucksmay be able to dispense such a small quantity of heating oil, such smalla quantity cannot be accurately measured in conformance with NTEPcertification standards, in context that the pump and metering systemare configured for handling large quantities and high flow rates, asmentioned above. There is another problem which tank truck-using dealersface: It relates to bad weather conditions which make it difficult for atank truck to reach certain sites, for instance, when there are snow andice conditions and the terrain is steep. Typical large local-deliveryheating oil tank trucks have rear wheel drive only and are not allowedto be fitted with tire chains (because of the risk of a loose chainpenetrating the oil tank). Thus, there can be times when it isphysically very difficult to service a customer. Anecdotally, somedealers in mountainous and wintery areas have used smaller and lightercustom designed tank trucks, including four-wheel drive trucks, whenthey have a number of difficult customer sites; alternately, they havetransported oil to the customer in common 55 gallon drums and the like.

Diesel fuel meets different technical requirements than does heatingoil, as explained further below in the Description. Diesel fuel is usedin internal combustion engines. Most diesel oil for consumers is sold inroadside service stations. To deliver diesel oil to construction andagricultural vehicles and the like which are in the field, it has been afamiliar practice to mount small diesel oil tanks, often a 55 gallondrum, on pickup trucks and the like and to drive to the vehiclelocation. While typically there is only a pump system for transfer ofthe diesel fuel from the tank on the truck to the tank of the vehicle, ametering or measuring system of some sort may be used. This kind ofdistribution mode typically does not involve custody transfer from adealer to a customer of the kind that triggers regulatory requirements;and any requirements would not be of the specialized nature relating tocustody transfer of heating oil delivery to residential and commercialbuildings.

Diverse manufacturers have commercially offered portable wheeled andskid-mounted systems for transporting and/or pumping oils or otherliquids, beyond heating oil and diesel fuel. However, many of the priorart ways of carrying and delivering non-heating oil products cannot beused by licensed heating oil dealers because those ways do not andcannot meet the particular and specialized regulations and standardsmentioned above. Thus, there is a need for a better and more flexibleway for accurately delivering small quantities of heating oil to usersin an economic way, where the heating oil is transported and metered ina manner acceptable to regulatory and tax authorities and standardssetting organizations.

SUMMARY

An objective of the invention is to provide a means for delivering smallquantities of heating oil to consumers in a manner which comports withregulatory and tax requirements and which is economically moreadvantageous than using a common large heating oil tank truck. Anotherobjective is to deliver small quantities of heating oil to consumers inway which avoids having to have a CDL licensed driver and avoids thecosts of meeting standards which large local-delivery heating oil tanktrucks must meet. A further objective is to have a self contained andportable heating oil transfer apparatus for dispensing small quantities.

In accord with an embodiment of the invention, a heating oil deliveryapparatus comprises a heating oil tank of about 119 gallons capacity orless; a pump, preferably having a flow rate of about 2-22 gallons perminute; an air and vapor eliminator; a meter subsystem which meets NTEPcertification requirements; and a hose or other conduit for dischargingheating oil to a customer storage tank or other container. The apparatusembodiment further comprises a skid and the foregoing components aremounted on a skid. Thus the apparatus is portable, so it may beremovably mounted on the bed of a pickup truck or other vehicle. Thelimited tank capacity and portability of the apparatus mean that avehicle carrying the apparatus as cargo does not have to meet the sameregulatory requirements as does a multi-thousand gallon tank truck.

The apparatus of the foregoing embodiment is preferably self-containedand has its own power supply, such as storage batteries which drive a DCmotor powered pump. An exemplary apparatus with a filled tank has aweight of no more than 1500 pounds and can be transported along publicroads while secured on the bed of a pickup truck or the like which has agross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds, typically 10,000pounds or less. Operation of such a vehicle requires neither a CDLlicensed driver, nor a driver meeting other requirements (licenseendorsements) which are related to operation of a common 26,001 pound ormore heating oil tank truck.

In an embodiment of the method of the present invention, a dealer candeliver home heating oil to a customer using two different modes: First,to make typical deliveries of 119 or more gallons at a time, the dealeruses a typical large local-delivery heating oil tank truck, one having acapacity of 1,000 gallons or more and driven by a CDL licensed drivermeeting the other requisites. Second, the same customer is at othertimes delivered smaller quantities of heating oil, such as in the 1 to25 gallon range, and up to almost 119 gallons, by means of the skidmounted apparatus of the present invention carried on a less-than-26,001pound gross vehicle weight rating truck, which truck is driven by adriver who does not have a CDL, or a driver who lacks one or more of theendorsements required for lawful operation of the large local-deliveryheating oil tank truck used for the first mode delivery. The times whenthe second mode is used to deliver a smaller-than-119 gallon quantitymay include situations where the customer is short of funds or for otherreason only wants a small quantity of heating oil, when there is arun-out in the middle of the night, or when road conditions areextremely adverse, etc.

The inventive method enables a dealer to make deliveries of both smalland large quantities while being in compliance with motor vehicle lawsand regulations and with approved weights and measures procedures,particularly including NTEP certification requirements. And the dealer'soperating and labor costs are reduced compared to the costs of a dealerwho only uses a common large local-delivery heating oil tank truck toservice customers. Furthermore, the invention will permit heating oildeliveries that would otherwise be delayed or less practical or lesscost effective.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following description ofpreferred embodiments and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of apparatus of the invention,including a skid.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the apparatus in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a pickup truck, with a portion of the truck bedcut-away, and the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 mounted on thebed.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures, particularly FIG. 1, a preferred inventionapparatus 20 is comprised of several elements. A compactly configuredstorage tank 22 having a hatch or filler port 24 is suited for carryingalmost 119 gallons of heating oil. Pump 26 is driven by an integralmotor 27, preferably a DC motor powered by electric lines 42 runningfrom battery 34. Pump 26 draws oil from tank 22 through shut-off valve54 and line 56; oil from the pump flows through line 58 to air and vaporeliminator 38, then through meter 36, then through preset quantitycontrol valve 39. Connected to the meter is register 40 which displaysthe oil quantity which has been pumped. Register 40 also includes anintegral printer for producing a paper receipt or ticket.

The oil flows from the meter subsystem 28 through a pipeline 44 to hosereel 46 and then through hose 48 and nozzle valve 30 and into customercontainer 32, a tank shown in phantom in FIG. 1. Meter 36 is preferablyof the piston-positive displacement type described below. The fillerport 22 of tank 24 is preferably a so-called bulkhead fitting, familiarin heating and fuel oil industry. The bulkhead fitting is crafted toprevent the escape of vapors or liquid, but it allows air to enter thetank as heating oil is removed from the tank by the pump.

The meter subsystem comprises the combination of an air and vaporeliminator 38, a flow meter 36, the preset quantity control valve 39,and the data display and printing register 40. Air and vapor removedfrom the oil is vented through pipe line 57 which runs from the air andvapor eliminator 38 to tank 22. Optionally, as regulations may permit,air and vapor may be passed through a filtering system and vented toatmosphere. Depending on the oil condition and state regulations it maybe allowable to omit one or both the air and vapor eliminator 38 andprinter.

If delivery of a predetermined quantity of oil is desired, the truckdriver programs the meter subsystem for the desired quantity, andmechanisms within the meter subsystem cause the preset control quantityvalve 39 to close and stop oil flow when the predetermined quantity haspassed through the meter.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 the free end of the hose runs throughguide 62 which is of the fairlead roller type. To dispense heating oil,an operator pulls hose from the reel in an amount sufficient to reach acustomer container 32. The operator manipulates nozzle valve 30 at thefree end of the hose, to flow a desired quantity of oil into container32, for example, into a customer's heating oil storage tank.

There may be other fittings and devices in the oil flow path of aninvention apparatus. Generally stated, the pump is in fluidcommunication with the tank; the meter subsystem is in fluidcommunication with the pump, and the hose of other discharge conduit isin fluid communication with the meter subsystem.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, apparatus 20 is mounted on skid 60, sothat it can be moved as a portable unit. For example, it can be set onthe bed 104 of a pickup truck 100 having a driver cab 102, as shown inFIG. 4; and, it can be transferred easily from one vehicle to another orto the ground for stationary operation. Portability is an importantfeature, since if the apparatus is attached to truck 100 or anothervehicle in permanent fashion, the vehicle could be designated a heatingoil tank truck, thus invoking regulatory requirements. To preventmovement during operation of the truck along a roadway, apparatus 20 istypically secured at four points to the bed 104 of truck 100 by tiedowns 107 which connect D-rings 106 at the four corners of skid 60 tofittings 108 on the truck bed. The tie downs may be straps, chains,binders, etc.

Tank 22 is preferably a welded steel rectanguloid and is positioned atthe rear end 80 of the skid 60, as shown. Tank 22 may have other shapes.Tank 22, or any substitutional multiplicity of smaller tanks, has avolume capacity of about 119 U.S. gallons, but less than 119 U.S.gallons, to avoid triggering application of laws, regulations and otherrequirements that attend larger tanks carried by trucks. The tankcapacity may be less than 119 gallons, but an about 119 gallon tank ispreferred because it minimizes the frequency with which a driver has torefill the tank when making deliveries.

Hose reel 46 is a conventional commercially known unit that ispower-assisted by a drive means (not shown) to aid reeling hose 48 backonto the reel when dispensing of heating oil has been completed. Ahand-cranked reel may be alternatively used. Hose reel 46 is supportedon stanchions 52 that extend upwardly from skid 60. In the generality ofthe invention, there is a dispensing conduit in fluid communication withthe meter subsystem and that conduit may comprise, as an alternative, asimple length of hose or pipe without any hose reel.

With reference to FIG. 3, control system housing 55 is also mounted onskid 60; it is shown with its bottom portion cut away. Housing 55protects portions of the meter subsystem and contains control panel 64.It preferably has a lockable door (not shown). Control panel 64comprises electric switches and protective devices for controllingoperation of the pump, for energizing other electric parts of the systemand a light, and so forth. A conveniently accessible extension of thehandle of shut-off valve 54 runs to the rear of the apparatus where itis just above the skid top and underneath the meter subsystem.

Pump 26 which preferably has an integral direct current motor 27, ischosen for a flow capacity in the range of 2-22 gallons per minute(GPM). When used with an alternative AC motor the flow rate may be 2-29GPM.

The combination of pump 26 and meter subsystem 28 are capable ofaccurately transferring and measuring small quantities of heating oil.For example, between 1 and 25 gallons can be transferred and accuratelycontrolled and measured, and a ticket or other permanent record can beproduced showing the quantity dispensed to the nearest one-tenth of agallon. The comparative low flow rate of the pump of the inventionapparatus makes it suited for filling small containers, such as a 5gallon container. That contrasts with the large flow rate pumpscharacteristic of many large local-delivery heating oil tank trucksmentioned in the Background, for example one that is capable of flowing40-110 GPM. Not only are those pumps poorly suited for pumping of smallquantities, the meter subsystems of such tank trucks do not provideaccurate metering of less than 25 gallon quantities.

Apparatus 20 preferably includes skid 60 which is, for example, about a40 inch by 48 inch rectangle of fabricated steel; it has a footprintsmall enough to fit on the bed of a common pickup truck. The term “skid”shall not be limiting and shall be construed as embracing any structurewhich functions as a base sufficient to carry the apparatus componentsand enable them to be moved as an integral unit while functionallyinterconnected. The tank, pump, and piping, control housing and skid arepreferably constructed prevalently of iron alloy materials; alternativematerials including aluminum and copper alloys may be used.

Apparatus 20 is constructed in a manner which economizes material andweight. Thus, when tank 22 is empty, an exemplary apparatus 20 whichincludes one or two storage batteries 34 may weigh about 500-600 pounds.When tank 22 is substantially filled (i.e., nearly 100% filled) withjust under 119 gallons of heating oil, which weighs about 840-880 pounds(depending on oil density, which may vary between 7.05 and 7.4 poundsper gallon, and which typically is about 7.2 pounds per gallon). And thetotal weight of the heating oil-filled preferred apparatus is no morethan 1,500 pounds, and thus within the capacity of a common commercial1,500 pound load rating pickup truck or van (familiarly called a“three-quarter ton motor vehicle”).

In an alternative embodiment, tank 22 has a capacity substantially lessthan 119 gallons, for example, about 70 gallons, and the total weight ofthe apparatus with a tank filled with oil is about 1,000 pounds, whichis within the load capacity of a 1,000 pound load rating truck(familiarly called a “half-ton motor vehicle”).

As is well-known, familiar half-ton and three quarter-ton capacitypickup trucks and vans typically have a gross vehicle weight rating ofless than 10,000 pounds. That is well below the 26,001 pound thresholdweight which requires a CDL and therefore a driver of a vehicle carryingthe invention apparatus need only have a regular driver's license. Nodriver's license endorsements related to driving a large heating oiltank truck are required for such pickup trucks and vans when they arecarrying the invention apparatus as removable cargo. And the vehiclecarrying the invention apparatus does not have to be placarded, or tohave a fire extinguisher, or to be otherwise treated like an ordinarylarge heating oil tank truck.

Alternatively, a trailer towed by a truck or automobile may be used tocarry the invention apparatus. In further alternatives, apparatus 20 orthe like may be carried on a boat, barge, sled, airplane, helicopter,etc. In a still further alternative, the apparatus may be used in astationary mode.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, an electrical motor drivenpump 26 may be powered by other than storage batteries. For example, thepump may be powered by direct current electric system of the truck orother motor vehicle which is used to transport the apparatus, separatelyor in combination with a storage battery 34. A solar panel may also beused to recharge the battery. A fuel cell or an internal combustionengine powered generator may be used. In another alternative, AC powerdrawn from a private or public utility alternating current system may beused. In the generality of embodiments of the invention, the apparatuselectric power source may be selected from the group comprising: anelectric storage device mounted on the skid or separated from the skid,an electric generating device mounted on the skid or separated from theskid, a DC electric system of a motor vehicle, and an AC power system,or combinations of the foregoing.

In the generality of the invention, the meter subsystem includes meansfor acquiring and recording the quantity of heating oil delivered inweights and measures approved fashion, including in a way which meetsthe NTEP certification standard. A preferred and currently conventionalway of providing a permanent record of an oil delivery is by means of aprinter which produces a hard paper copy. In the scope of the claimedinvention any reference to printing or printing a ticket shall embraceother means for outputting and recording data about the heating oilquantity delivered, including transmitting by wire or wirelesslyinformation to a local or remote electronic storage or memory device.

As used herein, “residential storage tank” refers to a tank, typicallyof 250 to 330 gallons capacity, which is building-code approved for useinside or outside a residential dwelling. The term “residential” shouldnot be considered limiting, since conventionally, the same name isapplied to such kind of tank when it is used in a commercial building.

The invention apparatus as described is particularly designed andconstructed for handling home heating oil (HHO), often also called No. 2heating oil, and delivering it for heating purposes at residential,commercial, and other buildings. HHO conforms to ASTM standard D396(ASTM International) and is described more particularly below. Asindicated in the Background, the distribution and sale of HHO isparticularly regulated, in distinction to how other oil products,including diesel engine fuel oil, may be regulated.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention has met the NTEPcertification standard mentioned in the Background; namely, it willcomply with the National Institutes of Standards and Technologyrequirements set forth in “NIST Handbook 44: Specifications, Tolerances,and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices” andwill be subject to a Certificate of Conformance pursuant to the NationalType Evaluation Program (NTEP certification) of the National Conferenceon Weights and Measures, Lincoln, Nebr. When the exemplary apparatusflowed oil at rates in the range of 2 to 24 GPM (for DC power supply)and 2-29 GPM (for AC power supply), it was in conformance with accuracyclass 0.5*, as set forth in Handbook 44. That included an acceptancetolerance of 0.3 percent for certain heating oil quantities in amountsof 50 gallons or less. An exemplary apparatus 20 was issued a NationalType Evaluation Program Certificate of Conformance (No. 11-112) by theNational Conference on Weights and Measures and that is marked oncommercial embodiments of the apparatus.

Thus, a commercial embodiment of the invention apparatus meets heatingoil dealer needs by being weights and measures approved; and since thetank capacity is less than 119 gallons, and since the apparatus isskid-mounted cargo when on a pickup truck or the like, there is norequirement to display placards and meet various other costly heatingoil tank truck related standards mentioned above.

An exemplary meter subsystem comprises a Murray brand 1½ inch pipediameter size petroleum meter Model TMS 682, having an air and vaporeliminator accessory, a strainer, a display register, a ticket printerand a presettable volume control valve (Murray Equipment Inc., FortWayne, Ind.). The presettable volume control valve enables a deliveryman to input a desired quantity of fuel, e.g. 20 gallons, and thepresettable control valve will automatically close and stop the flow ofheating oil when that quantity has flowed through the meter. Othercommercial meter subsystem units or other combinations of devices may beused to carry out the functions of meter subsystem provided theresultant combination meets NTEP certification standards.

An exemplary pump 26 is a Model 489G-95, sub-code 1011 pump (AmericanMachine Tool. Co., Inc. Royersford, Pa.). Other commercial pumps ofcomparable function may be used.

The present invention includes a new and different way of deliveringliquid petroleum heating oil to residential and commercial customers.The invention enables a dealer to periodically deliver to a customer asmall quantity of heating oil, such as 1, 5, 25 gallons, and up toalmost 119 gallons, in an economic manner, while meeting regulatoryrequirements with respect to metering and ticketing, and whileconforming with motor vehicle laws and regulations. That compares withusing the kind of large local-delivery heating oil tank truck which hasa capacity of more than 1,000 gallons, typically 2,800-5,000 gallons, asdescribed in the Background, and which has a pump and meter subsystemthat are geared toward delivering 25 gallons or more in a high flow ratemanner, which truck is not suited for delivering less-than-25 gallonquantities.

The method of the present invention comprises providing an apparatus forpumping and metering and ticketing home heating oil, which apparatuscomplies with the NTEP certification standard. The apparatus alsocomprises a heating oil tank having a capacity of about 119 U.S. gallonsor less. The method further includes: transporting the apparatus asremovable cargo on a motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight of lessthan 26,001 pounds to the point of dispensing heating oil; flowingheating oil through the apparatus by means of an electric powered pumpat a rate of 2 to 29 GPM for a total delivery quantity of between 1 and25 gallons, alternately up to just under 119 gallons; and preferablydelivering said quantity of heating oil to a customer's heating oilstorage tank, such as are commonly associated with a dwelling,commercial building or other building, where the tank has a capacity ofmore than 250 gallons.

Thus, in an embodiment of the method invention, the process is asfollows. A heating oil dealer may deliver to a particular customer oilin quantities of more than 25 gallons, typically 100-200 gallons, duringthe season of high daily consumption, such as during the winter timeusing a placarded tank truck of more than 1,000 gallons capacity,typically 2,800 to 5,000 gallons, maybe having a gross vehicle weight ofmore than 26,001 pounds. When a tank truck carries 1,000 gallons more ofheating oil, the oil will weigh more than 7,000 pounds and the tanktruck with the oil will weigh very much more than 10,000 pounds.

And the same heating oil dealer will deliver at another time to the sameparticular customer oil in quantities in the range 1 to 5 to 25 gallons,up to about 119 gallons. Such a second delivery may be made when it isappropriate, for example, during the season of low daily consumption, orwhen the customer is short on money for heating oil, or in the event ofemergency need because of the customer running out of heating oil, orwhen there are adverse road conditions for the dealer's ordinary largelocal heating oil delivery tank trucks. When the second delivery ismade, the dealer will use the portable skid-mounted apparatus of thepresent invention, as described herein, in combination with a truck orequivalent vehicle. The gross vehicle weight of the vehicle carrying theapparatus with heating oil in the apparatus tank is less than 26,001pounds. The vehicle used for the second delivery is driven withoutplacards along public roads by a non-CDL qualified driver or by a CDLdriver lacking one or more of the required heating oil tank truckrelated endorsements. The second delivery is made in a way whichcomplies with motor vehicle, transport, environmental and tax laws. Thetruck will carry less than 119 gallons of home heating oil and theweight of such oil will be no more than about 880 pounds (based on theoil weighing 7.4 pounds per gallon).

In use of apparatus 20 when mounted on a small truck or the like todeliver oil to the customer storage tank or other container, thedelivery man will drive to the customer's location and to proximity ofthe customer heating oil storage tank. With reference again to FIGS. 1to 4, the delivery man will open the heating oil tank shut-off valve 54of apparatus 20; actuate a master power switch on the electric panel 64to provide electric power to the pump motor 27 and to any hose reeldriver (and to the meter subsystem if such should be electronic); inserta blank heating oil delivery ticket receipt into the display and ticketprinter 40 of meter subsystem 28; input to the preset volume controlvalve portion of meter subsystem the desired gallon quantity of heatingoil to be delivered, if a predetermined quantity is to be delivered;actuate the flow valve lever (not shown) of the meter subsystem; removethe nozzle-valve 30 of the hose 48 from its resting place at drip pan 50and carry it to the fill pipe or opening of the customer tank orcontainer 32. Hose 48 is pulled as needed from the reel 46. Then, theheating oil delivery valve 30 at the hose nozzle is opened. Whendischarge of the predetermined heating oil quantity is reached, metersubsystem 28 will automatically stop the flow of heating oil based onthe predetermined quantity which the delivery man had programmed intothe system. Alternatively, valve 30 is closed by the delivery man tocease flow based on the amount in the customer's heating oil storagetank or container. The hose with closed valve 30 is then returned to thedrip pan 50 (or other resting place) and the hose 48 is retracted ontoreel 46 with the aid of the motor (not shown) which powers the reel, orby means of a substitute hand crank. Valve 54 is closed and power to thepump motor and the control system is deactivated. A record of thedelivery, namely a ticket receipt printed by the meter subsystem, isgiven to the customer and or taken back to the dealer's shop.Alternatively, the quantity delivered is electronically recorded orwirelessly transmitted to an electromagnetic or optical storage device.

Home heating oil (HHO) consists of a mixture of petroleum-derivedhydrocarbons. During petroleum distillation, HHO condenses at between250 and 350° C. (482 and 662° F.). No. 2 heating oil produces about128,000 to 138,000 British thermal units per US gallon when combustedand weighs about 7.2 pounds per U.S. gallon. It has a flash point ofabout 52° C. (126° F.). Its viscosity is in the range 2.5 to 7centistokes at room temperature. HHO is by U.S. law dyed red to enablepersons enforcing motor vehicle fuel tax laws to detect illicit use inover-the-road motor vehicles. Tank trucks having more than 119 gallonscapacity and transporting HHO must display a specified federal-mandateplacard bearing the number NA 1993.

HHO, which should meet ASTM standard D396, is distinct from diesel fuelwhich is used in internal combustion engines of motor vehicles. Comparedto HHO, diesel fuel typically has certain more particular trace elementcompositional limits, for instance for sulfur, and it has additives, totailor it for its internal combustion and fuel injection pump purposes.Diesel fuel is subject to SAE International standards such as J313.Diesel fuel, which is not dyed, is most often distributed and sold tothe public through channels of commerce which include automotive andtruck filling stations where stationary pumping and metering systems areused. Biodiesel is a fuel oil derived from vegetable and animal fats,and it may comprise a portion of HHO within the ASTM D396 standard. Theparts of apparatus 20 which contact HHO, particularly seals and hoseparts are accordingly constructed of specialized materials whichaccommodate hydrocarbons without degradation. On the other hand themetal parts which are in contact with HHO may be mild steel, asmentioned above, in view of the general lubricious andcorrosion-protective nature of HHO.

The invention, with explicit and implicit variations and advantages, hasbeen described and illustrated with respect to several embodiments.Those embodiments should be considered illustrative and not restrictive.Any use of words such as “preferred” and variations suggest a feature orcombination which is desirable but which is not necessarily mandatory.Thus embodiments lacking any such preferred feature or combination maybe within the scope of the claims which follow. Persons skilled in theart may make various changes in form and detail of the inventionembodiments which are described, without departing from the spirit andscope of the claimed invention.

1. A home heating oil delivery apparatus comprising: (a) a tank having acapacity of about 119 gallons, for containing heating oil; (b) a pumphaving a flow rate of about 2-29 gallons per minute, in fluidcommunication with the tank, for drawing heating oil from the tank andflowing it to and through a meter subsystem; (c) a meter subsystemmeeting NTEP certification requirements in fluid communication with thepump, for measuring the quantity of heating oil pumped at a rate of 2 to29 gallons per minute from the tank and through a dispensing conduit bythe pump; (d) an air and vapor eliminator, interconnected between thepump and the meter subsystem; (e) a dispensing conduit in fluidcommunication with the meter subsystem, for flowing oil received fromthe meter subsystem to a container adapted for receiving an oildelivery; (f) a power supply for powering the pump; and, (g) a skid;wherein the elements (a) through (f) are mounted on said skid.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 in combination with a truck motor vehicle having abed for transporting things and having a gross vehicle weight of 1,500pounds or less, wherein said skid is removably mounted on said bed,further comprising up to 119 gallons of home heating oil containedwithin the tank; and, wherein said combination weighs no more than10,000 pounds.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thepower supply comprises one or more electric storage batteries.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the dispensing conduit is a hose, furthercomprising a hose reel assembly for holding and reeling off and on alength of said hose.
 6. A home heating oil delivery apparatuscomprising: (a) a tank having a capacity of about 119 gallons,substantially filled with heating oil; (b) a pump, in fluidcommunication with the tank, for drawing heating oil from said tank andflowing it to and through a meter subsystem to a conduit, wherein thepump has a flow rate of 2 to 29 gallons per minute; (c) a metersubsystem meeting NTEP certification requirements, in fluidcommunication with the pump; (d) an air and vapor eliminator, in thefluid flow path between the pump and meter subsystem; (e) a conduit influid communication with the meter subsystem, for receiving heating oilflowed through the meter subsystem and for conveying said heating oil toa container of a person desirous of receiving an oil delivery; (f) apower supply for powering the pump; and, (g) a skid; wherein theelements (a) through (f) are mounted on the skid in interconnectedfashion; and, wherein the apparatus weighs no more than 1,500 pounds.7-11. (canceled)
 12. The apparatus of claim 6 in combination with atruck having a bed for transporting things and a load rating of 1,500pounds or less; wherein said skid is removably mounted on said bed; and,wherein said combination weighs no more than 10,000 pounds.
 13. A methodfor delivering home heating oil to a residential or commercial heatingoil storage tank which comprises: a. providing a portable assemblycomprised of a heating oil tank, an electric powered pump connected tothe tank, a meter subsystem meeting NTEP certification requirements influid communication with the pump, and a dispensing conduit in fluidcommunication with the meter subsystem, wherein the tank has a capacityof about 119 gallons and wherein the tank contains heating oil; b.carrying said portable assembly on a truck having a gross vehicle weightof less than 26,001 pounds to a delivery point; c. powering the electricpump, to cause flow of heating oil from the tank to and through themeter subsystem and to the dispensing conduit, to thereby flow aquantity of heating oil which is between 1 and 25 gallons through saiddispensing conduit and into a residential or commercial storage tank atsaid delivery point, wherein the heating oil flow rate is between 2 and29 gallons per minute; and, d. measuring the quantity of heating oil asit is being flowed through the NTEP certified meter subsystem in aweights and measures approved fashion.
 14. The method of claim 13wherein, in step (b) said truck has a gross vehicle weight of 10,000pounds or less.
 15. The method of claim 13 where step (d) furtherincludes making a permanent record of heating oil quantity flowedthrough the meter subsystem.
 16. A method for supplying home heating oilto a customer which comprises: (a) making a first delivery to a homeheating oil customer by steps which comprise: i. providing a first truckhaving a permanently attached first heating oil tank with a capacity ofmore than 119 gallons and containing more than 119 gallons of heatingoil, a pump for pumping oil from said truck tank to a residential orcommercial heating oil storage tank, and a first meter subsystem formetering home heating oil pumped from the truck tank, the truck having agross vehicle weight capacity of 26,001 pounds or more; ii. moving thefirst truck along a public road while operated by a driver who holds aCDL license with endorsements for operating said first truck, to a pointof delivery to a residential or commercial heating oil storage tank ofsaid customer; and, iii. pumping more than 119 gallons of home heatingoil into said residential or commercial storage tank from the firstheating oil tank of said first truck in weights and measures approvedfashion for custody transfer of home heating oil; wherein said steps(a)i, (a)ii, and (a)iii are carried out by a first truck operator; and,(b) making a second delivery to said home heating oil customer by stepswhich comprise: i. providing a second truck having a gross vehicleweight capacity of less than 26,001 pounds, upon which is removablymounted a skid carrying a second heating oil tank having a capacity ofabout 119 gallons or less and containing up to 119 gallons of homeheating oil, a pump interconnected with the tank, for pumping oil fromthe second heating oil tank to said residential or commercial storagetank, and a second meter subsystem, interconnected with the pump, formetering oil flowed from said second tank by the pump; ii. moving thesecond truck along a public road while operated by a driver to saidpoint of delivery to said residential storage tank of said customer;and, iii. pumping less than 119 gallons of home heating oil into saidresidential or commercial storage tank in weights and measures approvedfashion for custody transfer of home heating oil.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein during step (b)(ii) the second truck is operated adriver who lacks either a CDL license or the endorsements required foroperating said first truck.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein duringstep (b)(iii) less than 25 gallons is pumped into said residential orcommercial storage tank.
 19. The method of claim 16 wherein step (b)(i)further comprises providing a power supply for powering said pump,carried on said skid.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein during step(b)(ii) the second truck heating oil tank is substantially filled withhome heating oil and wherein said skid together with all said componentscarried thereon weighs 1,500 pounds or less.
 21. The method of claim 16wherein during step (b)(ii)) said second truck has a gross vehicleweight rating of 10,000 pounds or less and weighs less than 10,000pounds.
 22. The method of claim 16 further comprising: (c) removing fromsaid second truck the skid with the second tank, pump, and metersubsystem carried thereon; and placing the skid on the ground or the bedof another truck.